What's On Tonight: 'Heat,' Scream Awards, Wolfman Love

Because it takes months to make such an extensive report, you might think that "Frontline" (CPTV, 9 p.m.) may have picked the wrong issue to concentrate on two weeks before the election. Surely something about the economy or war would have been more relevant than, say, one named "Heat."But peerless Martin Smith looks into the main issues of global pollution, the ambivalent role of the U.S. industry and the prospects of environmental change given a new administration. Its typically clear delineations of the issues, it turns out, makes it a perfect choice for pre-election consideration. It's paired locally with a replay of "The Warming of Connecticut" (CPTV, 11 p.m.).And on cable, a longer examination about one of the issues in "Heat," the folly of "clean coal," is seen on "Burning the Future: Coal in America" (Sundance, 9:35 p.m.).Formerly the most fringe of the film award shows, Scream Awards 2008 (Spike, 9 p.m.) is actually poised to be one of the most mainstream, considering how many fantasy and superhero films are blockbusters these days. Among those honored at the event tonight, taped from the event Sunday night in Los Angeles, are George Lucas and Anthony Hopkins. Samuel L. Jackson, Winona Ryder and Gary Oldman also appear in the show. Then there is always just "Fringe" (Fox, 9 p.m.).The rock star known as E from The Eels takes a personal journey of discovery to find out more about his father in a documentary that ends up in a most unexpected place: an episode of "Nova" (CPTV, 8 p.m.). In "Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives," Mark Oliver Everett takes a journey to get to know his late father, the scientist Hugh Everett, and tries to grasp his groundbreaking theories on parallel universes - that's where the science comes in.It's smart that a couple of other impressionists have been added to the cast of "Frank TV" (TBS, 11 p.m.). Not everyone they parody can be chubby after all.The craziest relationship show of the year is "Living with the Wolfman" (Animal Planet, 10 p.m.) in which Shaun Ellis, who hangs out, snarls and eats raw meat with the wolves, wants to bring his girlfriend into the fold as well. First thing for Helen Jeffs: stop eating vegetables and especially cakes so she can start smelling like a carnivore the animals can respect.In conjunction with a new DVD set on Warner Bros. crime films comes the new two hour documentary "Public Enemies: The Golden Age of the Gangster Film" (TCM, 8 p.m.) followed by its namesake, the 1931 James Cagney classic "The Public Enemy" (TCM, 10 p.m.) as well as "The Amazing Doctor Clitterhouse" (TCM, 11:15 p.m.), "Invisible Stripes" (TCM, 12:45 a.m.), "Larceny Inc." (TCM, 2:15 a.m.) and "White Heat" (TCM, 4 a.m.). Katie Holmes not only guest stars on "Eli Stone" (ABC, 10 p.m.), she sings and dances.But she's not among the cast yet of "Dancing with the Stars" (ABC, 9 p.m.), which will have to start explaining why exactly Cloris Leachman is not being voted off (if she isn't).Usain Bolt is profiled on a new "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" (HBO, 10 p.m.). Brian Setzer Orchestra plays and another couple pair of those child ballroom dancers perform on the results night for "Dancing with the Stars" (ABC, 9 p.m.). And someone gets kicked out.Thirteen's private life is the focus of a new "House" (Fox, 8 p.m.).Another new episode of "Rita Rocks" (Lifetime, 8:30 p.m.) is on, as the sitcom starring Nicole Sullivan shows each night all week.Don't go trick or treating here: "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern: Halloween Special" (Travel, 10 p.m.) offers baked tarantula, fresh steer blood and chilled lamb kidney.Daytime TalkRegis and Kelly: Vanessa Hudgens, Jason O'Mara, Gavin Rossdale. The View: John Lithgow, Eve. Bonnie Hunt: Jimmy Kimmel, Joe Mantegna, the Wiggles. Ellen DeGeneres: Kristin Chenoweth, Robin Thicke.

Categories:

1 Comments

You're wrong. The goal of "clean coal" isn't a folly. The problem is the damage done to the environment by present extraction methods.

But where is your outrage over the far worse world-wide environmental and social damage done by government mandated Ethanol?

Regarding "Frontline", I sincerely doubt they would suddenly drop their blatant leftist bias to suddenly provide "typically clear delineations" or the full story on global pollution, anthropogenic global warming...or any issue they tackle.

You give a clear indication of their probable bias in tonight's story with the condemning statement: "the ambivalent role of the U.S. industry." But the truth is that there's far more pollution and environmental damage coming from China, India and other countries. No "ambivalence" from them, is there? In fact, they too create far more environmental devastation than your hated "King Coal."

ABOUT

Roger Catlin is TV critic for the Hartford Courant and writes a daily column about what's on television called TV Eye. He is also on the board of the Television Critics Association. Before all of this, he was rock critic ... read more